Darwin Kakadu Katherine Gorge 8-day tour with croc cruises

Eight days exploring Darwin's Top End with saltwater crocodiles and Aboriginal rock art

An 8-day escorted tour based in Darwin that includes six guided outings: a city tour, Katherine Gorge cruise, Kakadu National Park day trip with Yellow Water Billabong, Adelaide River crocodile cruise, heritage walk, and a free day. You stay seven nights in Darwin and travel by air-conditioned coach with a live guide, visiting World Heritage sites, freshwater and saltwater crocodile habitat, and ancient rock art sites.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1: Arrive Darwin

• Arrive Darwin
• Catch taxi to hotel
• Explore Darwin city

Day 2: Darwin Half Day Tour

• Join half-day escorted bus tour
• Visit Smith Street Mall and Mitchell Street
• See St Mary's Cathedral and Chinese Temple
• Drive by Darwin Wharf and WWII tunnel
• Visit Museum & Art Gallery
• Explore Darwin Botanical Gardens

Day 3: Katherine Gorge Half Day Tour

• Early hotel pick-up
• Stop at Adelaide River War Cemetery
• Visit Edith Falls and swim
• Picnic lunch
• Two-hour Katherine Gorge scenic cruise

Day 4: Kakadu National Park

• Early hotel pick-up
• Travel Stuart Highway to Kakadu
• Visit Warradjan Cultural Centre
• Yellow Water Billabong Cruise
• Lunch
• Guided walk at Nourlangie Rock
• Return to Darwin

Day 5: Litchfield National Park Waterfalls

• Depart Darwin early morning
• Explore Litchfield National Park waterfalls
• Discover rainforest and bushlands
• Return to Darwin evening

Day 6: Adelaide River Jumping Crocs

• Cruise Adelaide River
• Watch crocodiles jump for food
• Visit Window on the Wetlands Centre
• See Fogg Dam Nature Reserve

Day 7: Darwin Heritage Walk

• Join guided heritage walk
• See historic buildings and ruins
• View Government House and Parliament
• Photograph public artworks and wildlife

Day 8: Depart Darwin

• Check out of hotel
• Catch taxi to airport

The experience

The tour runs on a fixed itinerary across eight days, with six escorted outings and one free day to explore Darwin on your own. Day one is arrival. Day two takes you on a half-day city tour covering Smith Street Mall, the Esplanade, Mindil Beach, the Botanical Gardens, and sites from World War II and Cyclone Tracy. Days three through seven rotate through the region's main attractions: Katherine Gorge in Nitmiluk National Park with a two-hour cruise and a swim at Edith Falls; Kakadu National Park with the Yellow Water Billabong cruise to spot saltwater crocodiles and birds, plus a guided walk through ancient Aboriginal rock art at Nourlangie; the Adelaide River crocodile cruise where saltwater crocs leap for food; and a guided heritage walk through Darwin's reconstructed colonial buildings and government precinct. Day five is free, though a sunset river cruise on Darwin Harbour is available. You depart on day eight.

Accommodation is seven nights in a standard room at one of three Darwin hotels: Darwin City Hotel, Capitanos Hotel, or Darwin Frontier Hotel. All tours include a live English-speaking guide and air-conditioned coach transport. Pickup from your hotel is included for each day's outing. Meals, national park entry fees, and airport transfers are not included in the price.

The tour is wheelchair accessible and public transport options are available near the hotels. A moderate level of physical fitness is recommended, as the itinerary involves walking at several sites, the heritage walk runs two hours, and entry to water for the Edith Falls swim.

What’s included

• Seven nights' accommodation in a standard room at Darwin City Hotel, Capitanos Hotel, or Darwin Frontier Hotel.
• half-day Darwin city tour covering landmarks, heritage sites, and local neighborhoods.
• Katherine Gorge full-day cruise with Edith Falls swim.
• Kakadu National Park full-day tour with Yellow Water Billabong cruise and Nourlangie rock art walk.
• Adelaide River saltwater crocodile cruise.
• two-hour Darwin heritage walk.
• air-conditioned coach transport for all tours.
• live English-speaking guide.
• hotel pickup for each day's outing.

Before you book

Days and timesEvery dayDeparts at 07:30

Book up to2d before

AgesAdult (10 to 90 years) · Under 10: can't be booked

GroupUp to 48

Live guideEnglish

Audio guideEnglish

Meeting point and pickupHotel pickup is optional; you can also go straight to the meeting point. Ends back at the starting point.You can choose from 31 pickup points.

Cancellation and refundsNo refund if you cancel.It may be canceled due to bad weather. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund.

ConfirmationConfirmation within 48 h

Paid on siteAU$ 65

Prices and times updated today

Good to know

Moderate physical effortWheelchair accessiblePublic transport nearby

Operated by Australia & New Zealand Travel Company

Is this one for you?Book this if you want guided access to Katherine Gorge and Kakadu built into a fixed eight-day schedule with early morning departures, plus a free day to explore Darwin's restaurants and markets independently.

Top questions

What happens if it rains?

It may be canceled due to bad weather. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund. No refund if you cancel.

What will I see on the Katherine Gorge cruise?

The two-hour cruise through Katherine Gorge in Nitmiluk National Park takes you past freshwater crocodiles sunning on the riverbanks and birdlife unique to the area, with paper-bark and pandanas framing the gorge walls.

Does the Kakadu National Park day include swimming?

Kakadu itself does not include a swim, but the tour visits the Warradjan Cultural Centre to learn about Aboriginal traditions, cruises Yellow Water Billabong to search for saltwater crocodiles and view bird life, and stops at Nourlangie Rock for a guided walk through ancient rock art sites.

What happens on the free day?

Day five is yours to spend in Darwin as you choose. A sunset river cruise on Darwin Harbour is available if you want a guided outing, but it is optional.

How close do you get to the jumping crocodiles on the Adelaide River?

The Adelaide River cruise positions you to watch saltwater crocodiles leap out of the water to snatch food your guide offers, and the tour also visits Fogg Dam Nature Reserve and the Window on the Wetlands Visitor Centre for views over the wetlands ecosystem.

Are meals included in the tour price?

Meals are not included. However, the Katherine Gorge day tour provides a picnic lunch, and the Litchfield National Park option (if selected) includes a packed lunch.